is anything but that to him who tries it.

It is true that such a present will not be new to you, and that you will
only recognise in it the maternal inheritance. However, I feel assured
that you will receive it favourably, at seeing it, in this second
impression, restored to its original state, for according to what I have
heard the first displeased you. Not that he who put his hand to it was
not a learned man, or did not take trouble; indeed it is easy to
believe that he was not minded to disguise it thus, without some reason;
nevertheless his work has proved unpleasing.

I present it to you then, Madam, not that I pretend to any share in
it, but only as having unmasked it to restore it to you in its natural
state. It is for Your Royal Greatness to favour it since it proceeds
from your illustrious House, whereof it bears the mark upon the front,
which will serve it as a safe-conduct throughout the world and render it
welcome among good company.

As for myself, recognising the honour that you will do me in receiving
from my hand the work thus restored to its right state, I shall ever
feel obliged to render you most humble duty.

THE HEPTAMERON.

[Illustration: 013a.jpg]

[Prologue: The Story-tellers in the Meadow near The Gave.]

PROLOGUE.

On the first day of September, when the baths in the Pyrenees
Mountains begin to be possessed of their virtue, there were at those of
Cauterets(1) many persons as well of France as of Spain, some to drink
the water, others to bathe in it, and again others to make trial of the
mud; all these being remedies so marvellous that persons despaired of
by the doctors return thence wholly cured. My purpose is not to speak to
you of the situation or virtue of the said baths, but only to set forth
as much as relates to the matter of which I desire to write.

1 There are no fewer than twenty-six sources at Cauterets,
the waters being either of a sulphureous or a saline
character. The mud baths alluded to by Margaret were
formerly taken at the Source de Cesar Vieux, half-way up
Mount Peyraute, and so called owing to a tradition that
Julius Caesar bathed there. It is at least certain that these
baths were known to the Romans.--Ed.

Cauterets is frequently mentioned by the old authors, and
Rabelais refers to it in this passage: "Pantagruel's urine
was so hot that ever since that time it has not cooled, and
you have